6 accused of preying on elderly for money

SPRINGFIELD -- A grand jury in central Illinois has indicted six individuals on charges of financially exploiting elderly people.

The rash of unrelated cases results mainly from a crackdown by police and prosecutors. A team organized by Senior Services of Central Illinois has helped bring cases to the attention of authorities.

Sangamon County assistant state's attorney John Milhiser says the economic downturn also may be to blame.

The six people indicted yesterday include a 51-year-old man who allegedly took more than $100,000 from an 83-year-old relative with Alzheimer's. In another case, a 49-year-old woman allegedly stole food stamps from five residents of a Springfield nursing home.